Hudson Catholic names new soccer coach

Eric Gathigi has been hired as the new boys varsity soccer coach at Hudson Catholic.

Rick Rendell/Daily News Correspondent

Eric Gathigi has been hired as the new boys varsity soccer coach at Hudson Catholic.

Gathigi replaces Tony Albano, who resigned last winter after five years as the only coach that the school's boys varsity soccer program ever had.

Gathigi, a native of Kenya, played soccer for Greenville College in South Carolina and at the club level in Europe. Though this is his first high school coaching position in Massachusetts, Gathigi has coached under-17 programs, and at many camps and clinics.

"He has a lot of enthusiasm for the game and teaching the players," said Hudson Catholic athletic director Bob Raymond. "He brings that enthusiasm to the team. He seems very dedicated to the sport and teaching the game."

Gathigi, who lives in Worcester, has a local connection to the MetroWest area. He works for Ashland-based Advocates, a human service agency that assists adults and youth.

According to a press release from Hudson Catholic, Gathigi is "excited about the challenge and the upcoming season."

Last fall, Albano led Hudson Catholic to a 10-7-1 record while playing the entire season with just 14 players.

"Obviously, we're thin in numbers but that's par for the course," said Raymond of a small school like Hudson Catholic.

"I plan to take a couple of soccer coaching courses this year," Albano told the Hudson Sun's Phil Riccicuti in an article last February. "I have also applied for a couple of open positions and I am hoping to be able to move up to a Division 1 or 2 program."